Moors Academy 6 Lane Head 1

*Young Moors blitz to first victory of the season - by Ronald Crane*

After a disappointing performance away at Redditch Borough on Saturday, the Young Moors certainly gave a top class performance in this match. Lane Head were outplayed in every department of the game, even in the second half when Moors played with an outfield player in goal. Ben Maxwell had a nasty face injury and did not appear for the re-start, Ewan Price donning the goalie’s jersey. After allowing Lane Head to score one, he did well and was well protected by the Moors players in front of him.

Right from the off, it was obvious that Moors were in a different frame of mind from Saturday. This was a game where they had to endure many fouls, and they re-acted nobly. None more so than Aram Solomon, who when chopped to the ground, just got up and ran to take up an attacking position for the resultant free kick. This was an example to many a young player.

Sam Manoochehri had made eight changes from Saturday. Jerome Clarke came in for Michee Mbuti, Mikkel Hirst dropped to full back, Nathan Binner, Josh Parsons, and Kamol Campbell all started. Solomon moved to number 7 and Rubyn Gill to 10. Ethan Sephton, Jay Mystry and Michee Mbitu started on the bench with new singings Ewan Price and Myles Mason. Blessing Nhundu and Shuja Mahmood were given the night off.

It only took the Moors a couple of minutes from referee David Badger’s first whistle to send over three crosses. All were defended by Lane Head, but they were warnings of what was to come.

With the clock showing four minutes, a great pass from Solomon to Campbell let the latter in one on one with the visiting ‘keeper, who saved. It was a good chance.

With the Young Moors playing their familiar passing game from the back, the visitors tried to press; only occasionally did they have any luck. The impressive Parsons tried from twenty yards, but the shot was saved. Then on 11 minutes, a really good centre from the left was glanced home by Hirst to open the scoring.

Five minutes later it was two. A delightful chip by Rubyn Gill defeated goalkeeper Owen and found the net. With 20 gone, we had a four minute delay as Moors ‘keeper Maxwell received treatment for a facial injury. He did carry on, but only until half time.

On the half hour mark a beautiful move down Moors’ inside left position ended with Campbell slotting home. There would be no coming back for Lane Head now, and we all knew it. That did not stop Lane Head from trying and there were times when the home defence needed to have their wits about them.

The visiting bench was getting frustrated, and the referee needed to calm them down. At the break it was three nil to the home side.

Lane Head saw a glimmer of a chance at the re-start with an outfield player in goal for the Moors, and they got lucky when everyone thought the ball had gone out of play, only for the alert Melia to pop the ball through Price’s legs, and score.

It would be the only luck they had. McNally scored from a Moors’ corner, Martin passed for Parsons to score and finally Jay Mystry made it six. All this proved too much for the Lane Head bench and referee Badger sent the visiting Manager from the Dug Out for – what I understand – was an awful remark to the Assistant Referee. If my information is correct, the remark was far too awful for it to be repeated here!

6-1 was a good return for this wonderful Moors performance. They controlled the midfield and Lane Head were reduced to the long ball tactic, but unlike Saturday, the Moors’ defence were more than up to it. At times their play was breathtaking, and all present will be looking to Saturday’s home match with Hampton FC.

Afterwards Manager Sam Manoochehri was purring with praise for his young charges. “Everyone played his part” he said.